Dear Friends,
As a child I did not have the good fortune of a close relationship with my parents. My father was nonexistent and although my mother tried her best, she was not nurturing by nature. From that experience the idea of being a parent myself scared me, I did not want to repeat their mistakes.
Recent events in my life have allowed me to realize that I do want children. However, I also realize that I do not have to repeat the mistakes of my own parents. If I can learn from their mistakes, then I am not destined to repeat them.
I do want to be a father some day. Although I intend to wait for marriage, I look forward to parenthood: whether it is biologically with the woman that I love or whether we choose to adopt.
In line with the decision to wait until marriage to have children, I have chosen to live my life in a way that will not bring about the chance of an unplanned pregnancy. This is a choice I have made. It is not a judgement on how others live their lives. Every individual and every couple must make that choice for themselves.
Even if I hadn’t chosen abstinence, as a man I will never be faced with the choices that go along with an unplanned pregnancy. Because of my personal values, I would not choose to have an abortion in the case of an unplanned pregnancy. But I would want the right to make that choice.
It is my firm and unwavering belief that every woman should have the right to choose on matters regarding her own body. What I would do if I were in her position does not matter, because the fact is that I never will be in her position. On top of which, every person is different; faces different challenges, brings to the table different life experiences and different morals by which they live their life. Nobody should have the right to dictate their values on someone else.
Abortion is a medical procedure and as such it should be left to medical practitioners to decide if it is medically viable to perform. In my opinion this is not a matter for politicians to decide. It is a personal choice that should be made by the individual who is considering the procedure, with consideration given to the opinions of her doctors as they pertain to safety (not morals).
Roe vs. Wade was a landmark Supreme Court decision, not because it gave women the right to choose, but because in that decision the Court recognized that the government does not have the right to interfere in a woman’s choice over her own body. It should not be up to the court to decide whether a woman can choose. It has nothing to do with the court. It should never be a question. A woman’s body is her body and she should not need the permission of the court on what she does with it.
Currently there is Anti-Choice Legislation being lobbied under the misleading title of “Unborn Victims of Violence Act.” This legislation is an attack on a woman's right to choose disguised as an effort to protect pregnant women from violence. In actuality it would create a separate criminal offense if an individual causes death or injury to what the sponsors call “a member of the species homo sapiens at any stage of development.” In other words, it is a proposed law not only aimed at robbing women of their right to choose, but giving criminal penalties to those that do. For more information, visit National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.
Over the next few years we will see new appointments made to the Supreme Court. In fact, there is talk on Capital Hill that more than one current Justice is contemplating retirement within the next month. The decisions of the Supreme Court will effect the freedoms of our country for untold years ahead. Justices are nominated to the Supreme Court by the President and confirmed by the Senate; the public does not vote them in . But that doesn’t mean your voice does not count. The government exists to serve the wishes of the people, so let your wishes be heard. I encourage you to write to the President and your local congressmen and let them know how you feel on this issue.
Roll Call Online provides a free service that provides contact information for House and Senate representatives based on your geographic location. President George W. Bush can be reached at:
e-mail: President@whitehouse.gov
Phone: (202) 456-1414
Fax: (202) 456-2461
Address:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20500
Our government was founded to represent the wishes of the people, so let your voices be heard. As always, I am your fan.
Peace Love Trust
rikki lee travolta
Review other RLT commentary
It's All Relative
Stand Against Racism
Writing About Life
Crazy Pants Travolta
Gregory Hines
Everwood
Book Excerpt: Bus Fare
Learning to Stand
A Time of War
Country Charm
Talking Frankly About Family (& Christmas)
My Fractured Life
Forever Love
Good and Evil
Man Behind the Wheel
The Little Engine that Could: A Memorial
Perceptions of Perfection
Personal Decisions
Responsibility in Communication
You Done Good
Duality of Man
Evolution of a Hero
Reason to Quit - Stop Smoking
Beware of Stalkers
Dare to Dream
Do The Right Thing
Dealing with Abuse
Mother's Day
Right to Choose
Support the Cause
Just Try
Virtue of One
Martin Luther King Jr
Free Form Jazz
Creating the News
Great Expectations
Story of a Life
Acting 101
Why I Cried
Personal Values vs. Monetary Value
Broken Hearts
Dignity over Jealousy
Community Responsibility
Life, Honesty, and Integrity
Drug Withdrawal
Christmas Spirit
Rikki Lee Travolta's debut album!
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